Have questions?
We’re here to answer your questions. We hope the following FAQs will provide the information you are seeking.
General
The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) is an ensemble-based music education program serving more than 500 auditioned students in grades 3–12. Through its 15 ensembles, NJYS inspires young musicians to pursue excellence through high-level ensemble training in a supportive environment and exceptional performance opportunities.
Membership in NJYS is determined by audition, which takes place every May. Students in grades 3–12 are welcome to audition. To prepare, students should work on their solo pieces and required excerpts/scales with their private teacher.
Audition solo lists, organized by instrument, are available online. Additional audition requirements will be posted on April 1st. Registration for auditions is open from April 1 to May 1.
Late-summer and mid-year auditions may be offered if there are open positions.
For questions, please email info@njys.org.
All orchestral, percussion, and jazz instruments are welcome in our program! If you are unsure if your instrument qualifies, see below for a full breakdown:
Orchestral Instruments
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone (classical), Bassoon, French horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba
Percussion
Orchestral percussion students will be considered for the percussion ensembles and one of the orchestras.
Jazz Instruments
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Upright Bass, Guitar, Piano, Drumset and any other instruments interested in jazz!
NJYS strongly recommends all students study privately. Our Performing Arts School (PAS) has a wide range of available instructors. Call (908) 790-0700 for more information.
Our ensembles rehearse weekly anywhere from 75 min. to 3.5 hours. Each ensemble performs between 2-5 concerts per year.
Programs
We offer a wide variety of ensembles for string, wind, brass, percussion, and jazz students.
Full Orchestras (strings/winds/brass/percussion): Youth Symphony, Youth Orchestra, and Philharmonia
String Orchestras (strings only): Sinfonia, Concertino Strings, and Primo Strings
Wind Ensembles: Flute Choir, Flute Forum, Fortissimo Flutes, Clarinet Ensemble, CL4tet (Clarinet Quartet), and Concertino Winds
Percussion: Percussion Ensembles I, II, and III
Jazz: Jazz Orchestra, Big Band, and Jazz Workshop
For more information visit our Ensembles Page.
Yes! Enhance your musicianship with the NJYS Chamber Music program by playing in a small, un-conducted ensemble that strengthens your listening skills and collaboration!
Chamber Music is an eight-week program in the fall and spring, and a two week program in the summer. Participants prepare a piece of music with a coach provided by NJYS and perform in a Chamber Music Recital at the end of the session.
Students interested in the Chamber Music program should join us for our NJYS Open Auditions in May.
For more information, email info@njys.org.
NJYS Flute Choir, Flute Forum, Fortissimo Flutes, and Chamber Music rehearse at 60 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights. All other ensembles rehearse at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence.
Concert venues include UCPAC in Rahway, St. Elizabeth University in Morristown, Drew University in Madison, Memorial Auditorium and Alexander Theater at Montclair State University, Nicholas Music Center at Rutgers University, NJPAC in Newark, Patriots Theater in Trenton and many more.
Cost / Tuition
For open auditions in May, the audition fee is $60 for an individual student or $90 for a family registration, which applies when more than one child from the same family registers.
Tuition varies by NJYS ensemble, and updated tuition amounts are posted each year in June. A separate Wharton Arts-wide Registration Fee also applies: $65 for a single student or $100 for a family. This is a one-time annual fee for all Wharton Arts programs. If you have already paid this fee for another program, such as NJYC, PAS, or PMP, you do not need to pay it again when registering for NJYS.
For more information, visit our Ensembles page.
We accept payment by credit card, e-check, cash, or check. Families also have the option to enroll in a payment plan, allowing tuition to be paid in installments rather than all at once. Payment plan details and deadlines will be provided during registration or by contacting our office.
Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% processing fee.
NJYS welcomes all students and does not want tuition to be a barrier to participation. Applications for tuition assistance should be submitted during the audition process. CLICK HERE for the Financial Assistance form.
Still need help?
If you have additional questions, please contact us.